UNCG, NC A&T open University Engagement Office at HQ Greensboro

Posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 by UNCG Research.

GREENSBORO,NC (April 13, 2015) The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) and North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T) are partnering with HQ Greensboro to establish a satellite University Engagement Office at 111 W. Lewis Street in downtown Greensboro.

HQ Greensboro, scheduled to open in July 2015, is a workspace for startup businesses. HQ Greensboro has 15 private office suites, a co-working space, outdoor terrace, 4 conference rooms and a classroom with full technology amenities. The multi-purpose common space provides room for shared workspace, classes, workshops, and events.

UNCG and N.C. A&T are creating this office to increase the visibility and accessibility of university entrepreneurship, innovation and engagement initiatives and provide better connectivity to a broad array university resources in Greensboro and throughout the UNC system. The office will be operated by a rotating team of existing staff from UNCG’s Office of Innovation Commercialization, UNCG’s NC Entrepreneurship Center, and N.C. A&T’s Office of Outreach and Economic Development, who will provide regular office hours accessible to HQ Greensboro members and visitors. To provide easier access, many university events that are open to the general public will be held in HQ Greensboro’s event space instead of on campuses.

Bryan Toney, Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development and Corporate Engagement at UNCG says: “We are excited about the potential this offers for our universities to have a stronger community presence and become an even more integral part of Greensboro’s vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. There’s a lot of buzz happening downtown and this literally puts us in the thick of it. Through an office at HQ Greensboro, we’ll be able to connect more students, faculty and staff with the business community and engage more businesses and community members, creating valuable connections and ultimately new companies and jobs.

HQ Greensboro co-founder Andy Zimmerman sees great synergy between the universities, HQ Greensboro, and other area projects. He says “The expertise and programs of the University Engagement Office will greatly, enhance the success of local startups at HQ Greensboro. With The Forge right next door, and the Union Square Campus just a block away, I see amazing potential for this area as a hub for innovation.”

Wayne Szafranski, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Outreach and Economic Development, N.C. A&T says, “Our presence at HQ Greensboro provides a gateway for our students and faculty to pursue their entrepreneurial interests and acts as a conduit for local businesses to access university resources. Our partnership with HQ Greensboro and UNCG will permit N.C. A&T to enhance its role as a driver in of regional revitalization and economic development, one of the major goals of our strategic plan, Preeminence 2020.”

The University Engagement Office at HQ Greensboro complements many other initiatives in which both UNCG and N.C. A&T are already participating at Co//ab, the Forge, the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, Union Square and more. Having a high-profile downtown presence will enhance interaction between Greensboro’s academic and business communities and create more collaborative opportunities that will spur future economic development.

Located at 111 West Lewis Street, HQ Greensboro is next door to The Forge, Greensboro’s Makerspace, and within walking distance of downtown restaurants and breweries.